President Park Geun-hye has vowed to expand economic cooperation and boost ties with Central Asia.
Meeting Koreans and the descendants of Korean immigrants in the Russian Far East in Tashkent on Monday, President Park promoted her initiative to link energy and infrastructure in Eurasia.
Talking about connecting Uzbekistan's rich resources with Korea's advanced technologies, President Park said more jobs would be created in both countries.
The Korean leader then promised policies to help hundreds of thousands of ethnic Koreans in Central Asia to more easily visit and find employment in Korea.
She also said teaching Korean language, history and culture to Korean-Uzbeks was a national priority for her government.
Asking for support for her proposed humanitarian and civilian-based exchanges with North Korea to better prepare for reunification, the South Korean president said she will, meanwhile, respond firmly to Pyongyang's provocative behavior.

"I will not give up on helping North Korea to take the path towards real change."
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As for the recent ferry disaster in Korea, President Park said she will make good out of evil to revamp the national safety system.

"I will correct irregularities in our society and revive the domestic economy to make the world proud of our nation."
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"With the Eurasia Initiative high on her agenda, President Park is expected to seek to expand joint economic projects with Tashkent when she meets Uzbek President Islam Karimov on Tuesdsay.
Choi You-sun, Arirang News, Tashkent."